This is a 2002 E320 station wagon. Its last carfax's milage report was 35395 miles on 12/9/04. It is listed for sale at dealership for $23998 and the milage is 46688. There are 11k added to this vehicle without being shown on the report. Is this something to worry about? Should I avoid this type of condition?

Thanks a lot for your insights!


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Date: Mileage: Source: Comments:
11/05/2001 48 California
Motor Vehicle Dept.
West Hollywood, CA Title issued or updated
First owner reported
Registered as
lease vehicle
Loan or lien reported
02/20/2002 3,835 Service Facility Vehicle serviced
Electrical system serviced
Brakes serviced
Emissions system serviced
10/10/2002 12,611 Service Facility Vehicle serviced
Engine serviced
Electrical system serviced
Air conditioning serviced
01/13/2003 16,236 Service Facility Vehicle serviced
Brakes serviced
Engine serviced
05/16/2003 21,860 Service Facility Vehicle serviced
06/27/2003 23,038 Service Facility Vehicle serviced
08/01/2003 California
Motor Vehicle Dept.
West Hollywood, CA Title issued or updated
Loan or lien reported
Registered as lease vehicle
09/02/2003 25,843 Service Facility Vehicle serviced
10/28/2004 35,393 Service Facility Vehicle serviced
Engine serviced
Brakes serviced
12/09/2004 35,395 Auto Auction Sold at auction
in Pacific Region
Listed as
a fleet vehicle
05/21/2006 Dealer Inventory
Vehicle offered for sale
06/18/2006 Mercedes-Benz USA, Inc. No recalls open for repair

 

no big. mileage accrued during the interim...no service required...just put gas in it and drove. less than avg mileage during a 18 mo period. no red flags to me. prob could have used an FSS service during that time though

 

I agree with Raymond - no worries. During the 18 months the dealer had that car, they could have let a few salesmen drive it or used it as a service loaner.

If you are still concerned, but really want the vehicle, ask the dealer to CPO (certified pre-owned) it. You get 12 months/100,000 mile MB extended warranty with that, and you can buy another 12/24/36 months of that same genuine MB warranty. One major repair could easily cost you as much as, or more, than your investment now. Sure it's a gamble, but so is buying an MB without any protection.

I just did the same thing with my E320 - now 24 months/100,000 cost me another $1,845. My car had 53,000. Also, I think that $23,998 (mine was $24,900 + $1,845) is a fair price w/CPO warranty.
Good Luck,
M

 

Thanks a lot for your reply!

I asked the dealer and he told me that they bought the car 5/21/06 and they had no idea on where that 11k come from. Maybe some other company bought the car off auction on 12/9/04 and used it as a "get around" car. I'm wondering how come there is no title change info associated with the transaction on 12/9/04 and 5/21/06. Anyway...

Musikmann, you mentioned CPO it. oh, what a great idea... I always took those CPO cars as a fact and never knew that one could ask for CPO for a used car that's already on for sale. Is this the same thing as buying extended warrenty from the dealer? Based on most car buying websites I read, people always recommend using warrentydirect.com instead of buying warrenty directly from dealer. What's your take on this? My quote from warrentydirect for this car is $2416 4yrs/75k.

Thanks a lot!

F